A cat's tail is one of the most expressive parts of its body, but the signals it sends are easy to miss or misread. The new guide, published today in the CatTheGuide behaviour section, covers the six positions owners encounter most often — from the confident upright greeting to the rapid lash that means "back off".
What the guide covers
- Six positions in detail — upright, puffed (bottlebrush), low or tucked, slow twitch, rapid lashing, and wrapped — each with a plain-language explanation of what the cat is communicating
- How to combine tail signals with ear and body position — tail alone is useful; tail plus ears plus posture tells the full story
- When to call the vet — tail injuries can damage the nerves that control the bladder and bowel, making them a veterinary emergency; the guide includes a clear list of warning signs
Read the guide: Reading the tail: positions and what they mean →
Background
Tail communication in cats has been documented in both feral colonies and domestic settings. A 2021 study in Behavioural Processes confirmed that upright tail posture reliably predicted affiliative approaches in free-roaming cat colonies — supporting what most cat owners observe anecdotally.
The CatTheGuide guide draws on this research alongside guidance from International Cat Care, one of the most respected independent sources of feline welfare information.
What's next
The behaviour section is growing. Guides on the kneading behaviour, night zoomies, and multi-cat introductions are in development. All CatTheGuide guides follow the same structure: short answer, what to do, and when to involve a vet.
All new guides and site updates are listed on the news page and in the changelog.